Linh Dinh has been named chief of Montebello Unified School District’s 102 person police department, making him one of the first Vietnamese American in California to reach this rank.

The 15-year veteran of law enforcement will be sworn in during a ceremony during this Thursday’s school board meeting.

Dinh, 37, has been with the district for seven years. He will lead an organization of 40 sworn officers, 60 campus security officers, and two non-sworn staff in the third largest school district in Los Angeles County.

He had been serving as the temporary police chief since December. Former district superintendent Edward Velasquez previously served as the district’s police chief.

“This is truly a great police department,” Dinh said. “I’m excited to be here and ready to continue to serve the Montebello Unified School District community.”

The department Dinh is set to lead provides police services and security 30,000 students at over 30 schools.

“This District is fortunate to have such a qualified Chief lead our police department,” Board of Education President Hector Chacon. “His experience and dynamic leadership will certainly build upon the successes of the past and take the department to the next level.”